Truth (a Divergent Fanfic)

Chapter Thirty Two

“This isn’t your fight.”

“The hell it ain’t! Family don’t end with blood, boy.”

~ Bobby Singer, Supernatural

*****

Two days later, after the gravestone incident, Callie and I have completely sealed the gap that grew between us. We run, laughing, hand in hand, into the common room where the three of us used to spend so much time. Now there are only two, but we haven’t forgotten you, Julian. Your memory stays with us, laughing and talking, even if the rest of you is gone.

I stop, surprised. Sat in front of me, relaxing on the sofa with two other Dauntless… is Tobias. He sees me, stands, and I run to him. His warm arms engulf me and I breathe him in. “What are you doing here?”

He laughs his deep chuckle. “You know the way it is, refugees, on the run etc. Been here about a week now. Candor took a lot of Dauntless in - me, Zeke, Christina,” Callie makes a choking noise at that, “Shauna, Tris-” I raise an inquisitive eyebrow at that.

“And how are things going with you and little Beatrice, Tobias?”

He blushes. He actually blushes. He’s so adorable. Tobias clears his throat, embarrassed. “She’s being an idiot. But yeah, she’s my girlfriend.” he admits. I raise my hand up, and he begrudgingly smiles and high fives me.

Callie’s hand appears on my shoulder and I remember she’s there. “Oh yeah, Cal, this is Tobias, childhood best friend, Dauntless rebel, lover of cake. Tobias, this is Callie, my girlfriend.” And I love the way that word sparkles off my tongue,  especially when it’s used to describe Cal. They smile at each other.

“Hey, Four!” one of the other Dauntless calls. “It’s your turn!” They’re playing a card game to pass the time. 

“Yeah, coming Zeke!” Tobias turns back to me. “Amber, one more thing. They have Eric. He’s a prisoner. His trial is tomorrow.” He takes a pencil and piece of paper out of his pocket and writes something down. “That’s the time and place. Just thought maybe you might want to be there.” I don’t know… Eric’s trial will inevitably lead to execution by firing squad, and I’m not sure I want to see that, even after everything.

“Okay. Thanks.”

“No problem. See you around.” And he turns to walk back to his friends, before stopping to call something back. “Take care of her Callie, okay?”

Callie puts her arm around me. “Sure thing,” she says fondly.  I look into her eyes, and she pecks me on the cheek. Tobias looks content, and walks off.

*****

The crowd for Eric’s trial is huge and bustling and of course, because no one knows I’m his sister, I’m not allowed at the front with the other witnesses and Callie and I are lost in the crowd. Tris and Tobias are on stage, standing next to Tori, who has been elected as one of the new Dauntless leaders, and Jack Kang, head of Candor.

Eric sits in the middle, tied with ropes to a chair, while the others stand in a semicircle around him. He’s trying to be brave - I can tell. I know my brother better than anyone. I wish I didn’t. Because as I watchthe fear fades away for real this time and he smiles. I shiver. Callie grasps my hand tight, there to support me.

“Would you like me to tell you your crimes?” Tori says, and her voice is so much harsher than it was the day she helped me. Circumstance I guess. A lot of things have changed since then.  “Or would you like to list them  yourself?” Eric lifts his head and looks around the room. I duck, even though I’m fairly sure he’s not searching for me. I’m right. His eyes lock onto Tris. He stares at her, folding his hands together calmly, maliciously.